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$35,000

Approved

Agency: Commerce, Community and Economic DevelopmentGrants to Named Recipients (AS 37.05.316)

Federal Tax ID: 45-2444104Grant Recipient: Meadow Lakes Community Development,Inc.

Project Title: Project Type: Equipment and Materials

Meadow Lakes Community Development, Inc. -Community Park and Playgrounds

State Funding Requested: $30,000 House District: Mat-Su Areawide (13-16)One-Time Need

Brief Project Description:Funding is requested for the site preparation, purchase and installation of commercial playgroundequipment on a portion of the new Meadow Lakes Sports Field Complex.

Funding Plan: Total Project Cost: $140,000 Funding Already Secured: ($50,000)FY2013 State Funding Request: ($30,000)Project Deficit: $60,000 Funding Details:

2011 Mat-Su Borough grant $50,000 secured

Detailed Project Description and Justification:Funding is requested for the site preparation, purchase and installation of commercial playground equipment and amenitieson a portion of the new Meadow Lakes Sports Field Complex. The playground area is one component of a larger masterplan that has been developed for the 40 acre parcel of land purchased by Meadow Lakes Community Council from theMat-Su Borough in 2005.

The playground will be constructed adjacent to the soccer/football Sports Fields that were constructed in 2011, and willconsist of two separate play areas: one for children ages 2-5 years and the other for children ages 5-12 years. This willallow children to have age appropriate equipment and will allow a greater number of children to be served with this project.MLCD is also planning on making this playground accessible.

Meadow Lakes Community Development, Inc. is utilizing a multi-phase approach to this playground design, which will allowthe capacity of the playground to expand and more equipment to be added as the use of playground grows. MLCDanticipates this playground area will be utilized by families visiting the Senior Housing complex, families with children in thenearby neighborhoods, and those in the greater Mat-Su Borough who will utilize the Sports Fields complex.

The Community Park and Playground project is a joint effort between Meadow Lakes Community Council and MLCD. In2011, the Mat Su Borough gave a grant of $50,000 to Meadow Lakes Community Council to develop the play area for the2-5 year olds. MLCD is seeking funding to add the playground equipment for the 5-12 year olds, as well as other park

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amenities. Ideally, MLCD would like to coordinate the purchasing and equipment installation for the two playgrounds. Thiswould enable both entities to minimize the costs associated with shipping and mobilizing the equipment/labor needed for thefinal site preparation and installation of the playground equipment.

Construction of this playground is planned to begin during the summer 2012. The road to the project site and sport fieldshas been completed,and the parking areas have been completed; the project site has been cleared of the trees, is grubbed,and ready for site preparation. The Meadow Lakes Community Council contracted with an Architect for the design of thesports field complex which includes the playground area. A copy of that master plan is attached which shows the plannedlocation for the playground.

Quotes from two different commercial playground equipment providers in Alaska were obtained to help develop the projectbudget. MLCD is looking at utilizing volunteer labor working with the manufacturer's installation team to help reduce thecosts of the project.

Public Benefits:

This project will serve a broad range of needs within the Meadow Lakes community as well as the Mat Su Borough byproviding much needed recreation resources. In addition, this project will help address the issue of childhood obesity byproviding safe, accessible places for children to engage in activities to keep healthy, fit, and active in the outdoors.

Currently the only playground area available in Meadow Lakes is located at the Meadow Lakes Elementary school, which isnot open to the public during school hours and has limited accessibility during the summer months when the school gate islocked.

According to the March 2011 Alaska Department of Health and Social Services newsletter CDPHP Chronicles, "theprevalence of childhood overweight and obesity in Alaska is currently nearly double the Healthy Alaskans 2010 targets"... Inthe Mat Su Borough School District, "childhood overweight and obesity are significant problems. In fact, "a high percentageof students are overweight or obese when they enter school [which] indicates that prevention efforts cannot wait untilchildren enter the school system". As of the 2009-2010 academic year, more than one in four students in the representedgrades was above a healthy weight.

The White House Task Force Report on Childhood Obesity states that:

- To increase physical activity, today's children need safe routes to walk and bike ride to school, parks, playgrounds andcommunity centers where they can play after school, and activities like sports, dance or fitness programs that are excitingand challenging enough to keep them engaged.

- Regular exercise in nature is proven to improve children's physical and mental health. Outdoor activity helps kids maintaina healthy weight, boosts their immunity and bone health and lowers stress.

- Parks and playgrounds in a community can provide opportunities to run and play and may increase unstructured physicalactivity. If children can easily access safe parks and playgrounds in good repair, they are more likely to engage inrecreational physical activity there.

Source: http://www.letsmove.gov/pdf/TaskForce_on_Childhood_Obesity_May2010_FullReport.pdf

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The Organization's Main Activities:

Meadow Lakes Community Development, Inc. was organized exclusively for charitable purposes within the meaning ofsection 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of the United States, to support, develop, own, and manage communityfacilities, parks, and other public improvement in the Greater Meadow Lakes, Alaska area for betterment of the community.

Brief History:

Meadow Lakes Community Council (MLCC), a 501 c 4 non-profit, has been active in the Meadow Lakes community since1983, providing the residents of Meadow Lakes with a method to work together for the expression and discussion of issuesthat affect the community, and to provide opinions and recommendations to the Mat Su Borough. However, over the years,MLCC's role in the community has expanded to include using funds raised through grants, community activities, and gamingto support community activities for seniors, youth education programs, libraries, schools, spring clean-up, and most recentlythe development of senior housing and the new Meadow Lakes Sports Field Complex.

Members of the Meadow Lakes Community Council recognized that there was a need for a separate nonprofit entity thatcould focus on the task of overseeing community projects, such as the Community Park and Playgrounds and youtheducation activities. In Spring 2011, members of Meadow Lakes Community Council moved forward and founded MeadowLakes Community Development, Inc. (MLCD) and in November 2011, MLCD received their 501 c 3 tax exempt designationfrom the IRS.

Meadow Lakes Community Development will be contributing in-kind labor and the Community Council will also be providingthe land for the project at no cost. MLCD is currently seeking a coordinated funding effort for the rest of the funds neededfrom the following sources during 2012:

Mat Su Health Foundation grant$ 60,000

The maintenance costs for this playground area will be paid from revenues received from uses of the Sports Fields and inthe future from the Community Center revenues. These costs will be supplemented if necessary from MLCD revenues. The Meadow Lakes Community Council has also dedicated 70% of all revenues from their gaming activities to thecommunity center facilities, which includes the upkeep of the playground areas.

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Project Timeline:Final decisions on playground equipment / meet with vendor. June 2012

Equipment / surfacing material / amenities ordered. July - Aug 2012

Equipment delivery and installation Aug - Oct 2012

Expenditures will begin August 2012 and conclude August 2013

Entity Responsible for the Ongoing Operation and Maintenance of this Project:Meadow Lakes Community Council, Inc.

Grant Recipient Contact Information:Name: Tim SwezeyTitle: Board PresidentAddress: 1210 Kim Drive, Suite B

Wasilla, Alaska 99623Phone Number: (907)357-3999Email: tim.swezey@mlccak.org

Has this project been through a public review process at the local level and is it a community priority? X Yes No

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S:\Planning\CIP\2013-18\Final.docx Page 95

Recreational and Tourist Facilities and Enhancements Needs List (Un-Prioritized - Alphabetical Numerous other Recreational and Tourist Facilities and Enhancements have been nominated for inclusion in the six year CIP. Unfortunately, since there is only a limited amount of funding available these enhancements were not included in the above priority list. They have been included in alphabetical order in the Needs List for future reference. · Alaska Wild Bird Rehabilitation and Education Center · Bald Mountain Ridge Snowmachine Parking Area (end of Schrock Road) · Benka Lake Public Access · Big Lake State Park Rehabilitation · Borough-wide Historic Signing · Borough-wide Neighborhood Parks and/or Gardens · Borough-wide Park Access Program · Bumpus Ball Park Fencing · City of Palmer Neighborhood Parks and/or Gardens · City of Wasilla Neighborhood Parks and/or Gardens · Eastern Gateway on Glenn Highway · Fish Creek Wayside (Big Lake) STIP 6216 · Goose Creek Regional Park (Sunrise Creek)

§ Develop Camping Area § Water Supply § Day Use Areas § Trails and Fishing Areas

· Hawk Lane Trailhead, City of Houston · King Mountain Viewpoint Wayside · Knik-Museum and Knik Lakeside Park Improvements · Lake Lucille Camper Park Expansion · Little Susitna Park – Riverside near Olson Bridge · Lynne Lake/Honeybee Lake Recreational Access · Mat Valley Sportsman’s Range Improvements · Meadow Lakes Community Park and Garden – This project will include a park setting, a

community garden, playground equipment, picnic armadas, skate park and sports field · Meadow Lakes Equestrian Park · Meadow Lakes Non-leash Dog Park · Meadow Lakes Recreation Complex: Soccer fields and Tennis Courts · Meadow Lakes Baseball/Softball fields · Moose Creek Wayside and Campground · Nancy Lake State Recreation Area Trailhead and Trails · Neighborhood/Community Parks: Big Lake; Chickaloon; Sutton; Talkeetna; Trapper Creek;

Willow · North Lakes Community Park · Northern Gateway of Parks Highway · Southern Gateway on Glenn Highway · Talkeetna Main Street/Historic District Enhancement · Trapper Creek Landing Park

§ Boat Launch and Parking § Road Access § Day use Facilities

Meadow Lakes Comprehensive Plan

ADOPTED OCTOBER 2005

Prepared by: The Meadow Lakes Community Council Planning Team

In partnership with:

The Matanuska-Susitna Borough, Department of Planning and Land Use

Agnew::Beck Consulting, LLC Land Design North

Meadow Lakes Comprehensive Plan Major Goals & Strategies: OPEN SPACE & RECREATION 65

User Need Recommendation

Children & Youth

Ability to navigate the community on safe trails, either by bicycle or walking; immediate access to places for safe, fun outdoor play

Neighborhood trails systems, neighborhood parks & open space

Motorized & Non-Motorized Users

Trails and areas where snowmachines/4-wheelers are segregated from non-motorized uses, such as horses or skijoring

Corridors for skiing, walking, running, snowmachining; for equestrian, dog mushing or other uses including animals

Indoor Recreators Four-season opportunities for health exercise Community center housing indoor

recreation facility

Residents Neighborhood Recreation Areas Local parks, community trail system

Visitors Easy access to trails, fishing areas, rivers and parks that do not disturb local residents or trespass on private property

Well-marked trailheads with directional signage from the Parks Highway; area map distributed in local businesses; small parking areas

Commercial Recreation-related Operations

Area to successfully operate small-scale tourism ventures, small group guided hikes, canoe trips, river floats

Pull-out/put-in areas for guided rafting trips; Recreation attractions that would support B&B operators

HOW? MEANS TO PROVIDE SERVICES TO DIVERSE USER GROUPS

This comprehensive plan is intended to be the starting point for the community to establish a more complete, broadly beneficial recreation open space system. Actions to make progress in this direction are outlined below:

1. Form a recreation, trails and open space subcommittee of the Community Council. Contact user-groups to discuss specific recreation needs and interests.

2. Meet with specific subdivisions/neighborhoods; carry out neighborhood work sessions to identify currently, locally-used trails and open space areas; identify different types of expected uses; identify parcels for potential neighborhood parks.

3. Identify areas where new, enhanced or more restricted recreation and open space uses should be considered. Make specific recommendations about specially-identified areas.

4. Use the outcome of these first three steps to add to and refine the recommendations of under the other goals this chapter, producing specific recommendations for

Table 12 – Meadow Lakes Recreation Users, Needs, and Recommendations

Meadow Lakes Comprehensive Plan Major Goals & Strategies: OPEN SPACE & RECREATION 69

GOAL 4: Establish a System of Community Recreation Lands

BACKGROUND AND COMMUNITY VALUES

Residents of Meadow Lakes want to preserve their quality of life by establishing an integrated parks, recreation and open space system, with both developed and undeveloped sites. As one resident commented, “We need more open spaces where kids can get on their bikes and go play.” Others have discussed how recreational uses could be considered as a means of increasing visitor-based business to Meadow Lakes. These uses should be considered by examining the needs of the entire area, as well as the needs of individual neighborhoods.

Some recreational facilities to consider are:

• Ball fields and similar outdoor sports and recreation facilities (skating rink, track, basketball courts, etc.)

• Multi-purpose indoor recreation facilities (gym, basketball court, etc.)

• Motorized and non-motorized play areas (motocross or ATV/snowmachine trails; as well as trails for cross country skiing, mountain biking, hiking)

• Neighborhood parks; playgrounds including climbing structures, seating, sled hills

• Campgrounds, picnic areas and restrooms

• Lake and stream access

• Boardwalks, interpretive sites on wetlands

• Water-access facilities (docks & launches)

• Open space areas (ski loops, walking paths, etc.)

• Scenic viewpoints

• Town Center park

HOW? MEANS TO PROVIDE A COMMUNITY RECREATION SYSTEM

As is the case with trails, the Comp Plan can take the first step in developing a community recreation system, but the full process will need to follow the completion of the Comp Plan. Objectives for the community recreation and open space system are listed below:

A. Retain, and in Some Cases, Improve Public Access to Lakes.

As the community’s name suggests, lakes are the distinguishing characteristic of the area. Much of the residential development in the area has grown up around lakes; waterfront property with good lake access is highly valued. Residents enjoy a range of activities on lakes – canoeing, fishing, jet skiing and swimming during the summer months, and ice fishing, snowmachining, and skiing during wintertime. Float planes take off and land on some lakes. Hiking and walking trails and picnic and beach areas exist around others.

In addition to their recreational value, use of the lakes promotes neighborly relations – “I use my snowmachine to cross the lakes all winter with my kids and visit friends,” said one resident – and provides opportunities for quality family-time – “I like to have someplace where I can take the grandkids swimming,” remarked another.

Meadow Lakes Comprehensive Plan Major Goals & Strategies: OPEN SPACE & RECREATION 70

Allowing residents to safely and responsibly use area lakes is a high priority. Doing so increases the quality of life of residents who don’t reside directly near the water, and adds value to all real estate in the area. Fortunately for Meadow Lakes residents, while most easily-accessible shorelines are covered by private subdivisions, public access to many lakes has been retained by the State.

Existing public lake access points need improvement throughout Meadow Lakes. The recreation/open space map shows most (but not all) of these access points. Steps to improve public access to lakes include:

• Identifying public access points with small, attractive signage, including rules for responsible use of these sites [insert sample attractive lake access sign]

• Improving small-craft launches and lake-access trails, where they currently exist

• Improving parking areas, where they currently exist, but keeping them small in size to limit over-use, and

• Creating a system for managing recreation use, with moderate, community-supported management measures, e.g. emptying trash cans or reducing vandalism. Regular use by local residents is one of the most powerful ways to discourage inappropriate behavior

The Meadow Lakes Community Council and the State should work with neighborhoods to determine methods for striking the correct balance between public access and homeowner privacy.

B. Other Policies to Develop Recreation Facilities

1. Master Plan - Prepare a recreation, trails and open space master plan, establishing guidelines for an area-wide park system, linking smaller neighborhood parks and recreation areas to community scale parks, open space and trails. Set priorities among recreation activities:

• Community center with indoor sports, work out space

• Community Park with sports fields: including baseball, soccer, ice rinks, sled hills, etc.

• Cross country ski area

• ATV/Motocross area

• Undeveloped open space recreation areas (for skiing, snowmachining, mushing, equestrian activities, etc.)

• Better water and lake access (covered above)

2. Neighborhood Parks/Lake Access Points - Explore options to create neighborhood park facilities at lake access points, with picnic tables, play equipment. This will benefit local users, and create more activity in these areas to discourage vandalism.

3. Community Building - Proceed with plans for a community building (see Land Use and Public Facilities chapters); include with this project indoor recreation areas, and outdoor sports facilities. Preferably develop this facility in the planned town center.

Meadow Lakes Comprehensive Plan Implementation 118

Project Lead Capital

Cost Resources Schedule Committee

Comments

RECREATION & OPEN SPACE (cont.) 2005 2006 After

2006

Complete a community trails master plan. MLCC $$ MSB; consultants X

Develop a trail along Pittman Road. MLCC $$$$ DOT&PF; Trails sub-committee X

Find a route and reserve a trail connecting the community’s primary residential areas with the Baldy Mountain/Talkeetna Mountain area (including a crossing of the Little Susitna). MLCC $$

Landowners; Trails sub-committee X

Create neighborhood park facilities at lake access points with picnic tables, play equipment, etc. MLCC $$$$ Funders X

Proceed with plans for a community building including indoor recreation areas and outdoor sports facilities. MLCC $$$$

Consultants; funders (i.e., Denali Commission) X

Reserve site for one large (20 – 60 acres) community park. MLCC ?

Landowners; MSB; funders X

Upgrade play equipment and sports fields at the school. MLCC; School $$$

School Board; funders X

Work with the State, Borough and private owners to establish a public day use area or campground. MLCC $$$ MSB; landowners X Secure new sites for neighborhood parks and other recreation facilities. MLCC $$$ Landowners X Establish rules to create and dedicate space for neighborhood parks in subdivision development. MLCC Developers X Secure land for a community lake front park with swimming, picnicking, parking and trail access. MLCC $$$

Landowners; funders X

$ = $100s $$ = $1,000s $$$ = $10,000s $$$$ = $100,000s $$$$$ = $1,000,000s

Meadow Lakes Comprehensive Plan Implementation 119

Project Lead Capital

Cost Resources Schedule Committee

Comments

RECREATION & OPEN SPACE (cont.) 2005 2006 After

2006

Identify scenic viewpoints. MLCC

MSB; consultants; residents; volunteers; DOT&PF X

Work with residents to determine the need for individual lake management plans. MLCC

MSB; consultants; residents X

GOAL 4 – ESTABLISH A SYSTEM OF COMMUNITY RECREATION LANDS Identify public access points with small, attractive signage, including rules for responsible use of these sites. MLCC $$

DOT&PF; State DNR; MSB X

Improve small-craft launches and lake-access trails where they currently exist. MLCC $$ MSB; funders X Improve parking areas, but keep them small in size to limit over-use. MLCC $$$ MSB; DOT&PF X

Create a system for managing recreation use with community-supported management measures. MLCC

MSB; consultants; State DNR; residents X

Establish a community center with indoor sports and workout space. MLCC $$$$$

Consultants; landowners; funders (i.e., Denali Commission) X

Establish a community park with sports fields. MLCC $$$$ X

Establish a cross country ski area. MLCC $$$ X

Establish an ATV/motor-cross area MLCC $$$ X

$ = $100s $$ = $1,000s $$$ = $10,000s $$$$ = $100,000s $$$$$ = $1,000,000s

Example of play structure for ages 2 - 5

Example of play structure for ages 2 - 5

Example of play structure for ages 5 - 12

Example of play structure for ages 5 - 12

Example of play structure for ages 5 - 12